System of building construction



Feb. 7, 1928.

G. F. PAWLING srswsu or BUILDING cousmvc'rrou Filed am 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 7, 1928 1,658,613 G. F. PAWLING SYSTEM OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 9, 1925 2 Shana-sheet 2 Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED sn grns GEORGE I. PAWLIRG, O1 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SYSTEM OF BUILDING CONSTRUOTION.

Application filed March 9, 1925. Serial No. 13,972.

This invention, stated in its most general terms, relates to building construction, and has more especial relation to a system of floor and ceiling structure in wh ch are ema ployed skeletonized joist, bar oist, or steel oist.

The leading object of the present invention is to simplify, cheapen and provide a more eificient structure of the character 10 stated and one in which the employment of ,skilled labor is reduced to a minimum. An-

other object is to provide a structure of the character stated in which the structural parts are materially lightenel without, howit ever, tending to reduce structural efiiciency. Another object is to rovide for both a floor and ceiling construction in which metal lath may be more conveniently, more expeditiously, and more uniformly secured with respect to the joist. Other and further objects not at this time particularly pointed out will be referred to hereinafter.

The invention consists of the nova. system hereinafter described and finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in 30 which:

Fig. 1, is a view in longitudinal section of a floor and ceiling structure embodying the invention.

Fig. 2, is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section, drawn to an enlarged scale and illustrating details of construction.

Fig. 3, is a view in section taken upon the line 23-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a view taken upon line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5, clip.

Fig. 6, is a side view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'i', is an elcvational view of a floor lath receiving peg.

Fig. 8, is a view of a split washer used in conjunction with such peg.

Fig. 9, is an end view of and Fig. 10, is a side view of Fig. 9.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereofwhich is at pro."- ent preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory is an end view of a ceiling lath a nailing strip;

and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not Ignited to the recise arrangement and organization of t e instrumentalities as herein described and shown.

Referring to the drawings in detail the reference numeral 10 designates suitable supports, as spaced I-beams, spanning which are skeletonized joist, bar-joist, or steel joist, as desired. The joist I prefer to employ is skeletonizcd joist and 1s much lighter in structure than that now in common use, yet possessed of great structural strength. Each joist comprises an upper chord 11 of T-shaped cross-section; a lower chord composed of a pair of members 12 the crosssection of which is round; diagonal struts 13 of circular cross-section; and vertical struts 14 of flat metal, which parts in practice are welded together and shipped ready for installation. The vertical struts are forked as at 15 at their tops in order to straddle the vertical bar of the upper chord, see Fig. 3, and are apertured as lit-l6 for a purpose to presently appear. .At the time of manufacture a joist has welded thereto upon the upper surface of the upper chord a plurality of vertically disposed, properly spaced, metal pegs 17. The joist construction just described is specifically claimed in my copendiug application, Serial Number 42,118, filed July 8th, 1925.

.I will now describe the manner of assembling the various ceiling and flow parts of my structure in accordance with the system I have perfected. Referring now to the celling structure which is the first step in m system after the joist have been positione 1 make use of ceiling lath 25 which I suspend by means of clips best seen in Figs. 5 and 6. Each clip is of inverted U-shape and is designated 26., At the time of manufacture the upper chord of the bar-joist is apertured as at 27 throughout its length in spaced relation. Thus the erectors merely have to separate the two hooked ends, pass an end of a clip 26 through an aperture of the upper chord to suspend a clip and pass the hooked ends 28 of a; clip beneath a. fun-in strip 31 to retain the latter in position. ince the up or chord thus supports the ceiling lath it is obvious that the said lath -may be supported throughout the entire length of the span which heretofore 1n joist has not been possible. It is to be understood in this connection that the furrmg c stri s 31 are interposed between the bottoms of t e joist and the upper face of the metal lath and properly secured to the lath in any desired manner at the time of suspending the lath with respect to the upper chords of I" the -oist. This structure is known in the building trade as u steel centering. I next pour from above fire roofin material upon the steel centering. ereto re in a structure which consists of a floor on; and a ceiling, the floor slab is always poured before the ceiling is constructed, the ceil ng being made by attaching to the skeletonized joist or any other joist metal lath and applying thereto a plaster covering from below. This 2" method rmits the placing of only a comparative 5 thin protection under the oist and if. is not reinforced. The ceiling construction therefore is only fire resisting and not fire proof.

The pouring from-above of fire proofing material on steel centering before the floor slab is pouredis s. new and etlicient method of constructing a ceiling structure.

The following advantages are derived 80 therefrom:

1. Provides a slab of any thickness that may be desired and which could not be accompliehed by lastering.

2. Permits t eincorporating of furring and hangers in the fire proofing material.

3. The. UPPET projecting parts of the steel centering accept the poured fire proofing and thus reinforclng of the ceiling structure is provided.-

4. On account of the fact that the centermg remains permanently in the ceiling structure a continuous armor of steel is provided between the ceiling plaster and floor structure above.

Thus a ceiling structure of any thickness desirable to prevent the transmission of heat to the structure above, and reinforcing and armoring the same so that it cannot be destroyed b the action of heat and high water pressure mm below is provided.

, 'Ithe next step in my system is that of pre- Haring n floor construction. In making a. door construction metal lath 18 is forced own over the pointed tops of pegs 17 end split washers 19 are then forced over the pegs to secure the lath in osition. If a wood floor is to be employe .for receiving nailing strips clips 20 are then attached to the metal lath. These clips are best seen in Figs. 9 and 10 and each comprises members 21 of H-sha ed cross-section the legs of whichare esc provided with prongs 22 for engaping the apcrtured parts of the lath. The egs are connected by cross-bar 23 u on I which rests a nailing strip 20*. If plitin concrete floor is desired these clips are not used. The concrete fill 24 is then poured flush with the nailing strips (if employed) as usual. Should it be necessary to ease an opening in the floor lor stairs, well, elevator, to vent or the like the vertgical struts 14 are employed in the connection since supporting or other structural parts may he bolted thereto, the apertures 16 being used to accommodate the bolts. This is a very important feature not previously used in con nection with skeletonized joist, steel joist, or bar-joist.

By the above described system of floor and ceiling structure I run enabled not only to more cheaply, quickly and ciliciently provide a good engineering job but it is. not necessary to employ skilled mechanics so that with the shipment of joist mid accessorics u customer may have erection cou1- plctcd. by umlcilh-d labor in nu clticicm manner. Since the proper specing of flooring and ceilinglath :npporting parts have been previously and accurately determined it is nicrely necessary to ercct and not (1111- culnte or guess at structural support.

It will now be apparent that I have doviscd a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enurnen atcd as desirable in the statement of the in vention and the above description and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modifi ation in various particulars without departing from the spirltor mops of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantugcs. in:

What I claim is:

l. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the steps which consist in positioning; joists. in suspending therefrom a self-centering coiling form and reinforcement, and in pouring thereon and incorporating therewith from above a fill of fire proofingmuterial adapted to harden into a slab.

2. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the steps which consist in positioning joists, in suspendin therefrom a self-centering ceiling form an reinforcement, in pouring thereon and incor ornti'ng therewith from above a fill of firegiroofing materiel adapted to harden into a slob, and then in applying: :1 flooring upon said joists in spaced relation to said fire proofing material.

3. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the steps which consist in positioning joists. in suspending therefrom :1 self-ccntering ceiling form and reinforcement, in pouring thereon and in corporuting therewith from above a fill of fire proofing material adapted to harden into a slab, then in applyinga flooring upon said joists in spaced relation to said fire proofing material, and finally applying plaster to the under side of saidself-centering'ceiling form.

4. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the ste s which consist in positioning skeletonized oists, 1n suspending a self-centering ceiling orm and reinforcement from the upper chords thereof and incorporating therewith, and in ouring thereon from above a fill of fire proo g material adapted to harden into a slab.

5. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the steps whichconsist in positioning skeletonized goists, in suspending a self-centeringceiling orrn and reinforcement from the upper chords thereof curing thereon from above a fill of fire proofingmai terial adapted to harden into a slab, and than in applying a flooring upon said joists.

6. The herein described system. of ceiling :ind flooring construction which. consists in positioning skeletonized joists of'T-shaped cross-section, the flat, upper face of each joist having formed integral therewith rigid, fixed pegs, securing furring and metal lath with espect to the lower chordsof said joist by suspension from the upper chords of the joist to form a steel centering, pourin from above fire proofing material upon sai steel centerin forcing metal lath over said pegs and app ying a fill of concrete to form the floor.

7. The herein described system of ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joists of T-shaped cross-section, the fiat, upper face ofeach joisthaving formed integral therewith rigid, fixed pegs, securing furring and metal lath with respect to the lower chords of said joist by suspension clips from the upper ,chords of the joist to form a steel centering, pourin from above fire roofing material upon sai steel centering, orcing metal lathv over said pegs and applying a fill of concrete to form the oor.

8. The herein described system of ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joists of T-shaped cross section, the fiat, upper face of each joist having formed integral therewith rigid, fixed pegs, securing furring and metal lath with respect to the lower chords of said 'oist by suspension from the upper chords 0 the joist to form'a steel centering, pouring fire proofing material upon said steel centering, forcing metal lath over said pegs, securing said lath by means of washers fitted over said pegs, and applying a fill of concrete to form the floor.

9. The herein described system of ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joist of T-shaped cross section,-the fiat, upper face of each joist havingformed integral therewith rigid,

fixed pegs, securing furring and metal .lath

with respect to the lower chords of said joist by suspension from the upper chords of the joist to form a' steel centering, pouring from above fire proofing material upon said steel cen ring, forcing metal lath over said pegs, ap yin nailing strip receiving clips to said Is an applying a fill of concrete to form the our.

10. In building construction, the combination of spacedsupports, a series of skeletonized 'oists spanning the space with their upc ords resting upon the supports and the ower chords bent upwardly to meet the upper chords'substantially at the oints of suprt, a self-centerin ceiling orm and remforcement suspen ed from said joists, a hardened slab of fire proof material carried on the upper side and incorporated with said self-centering ceiling form and reinforcement, and a flooring carried upon said joists in spaced relation to said slab.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

GEORGE F. PAWLING.

and incorporating therewith, in

fire proofing material adapted to harden into a slab, then in appl ing. a flooring upon said joists in spaced re ation to said fire proofing material, and finally applying plaster to the under side of said self-centering'ceilmg form.

4. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the steps which consist in positioning skeletonized oists, 1n suspending a self-centering ceiling torm and reinforcement from the upper chords thereof and incorporating therewith, and in ouring thereon from above a fill of fire proo ng material adapted to harden into a slab.

5. In the herein described system of fire proof building construction, the steps which consist in positioning skeletonized oists, in suspending a self-centeringceiling orrnand reinforcement from the upper chords thereof ouring thereon from above a fill of fire roofing material adapted to harden into a ab, and then in applying a'flooring upon said oists.

6. The herein described system. of ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joists of T-shaped cross-section, the flat, upper face of each joist having formed integral therewith rigid, fixed pegs, securing furring and metal lath with espect to the lower chords.0.f said joist by suspension from the upper chords of the joist to form a steel centering, po'u'rin from above fire roofing material upon sai steel centerin orcin metal lath over said pegs and app ying a ll of concrete to form the floor.

7. The herein described system oi ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joists of T-shaped cross-section, the fiat, upper face of each joist'having formed integral therewith rigid, fixed pegs, securing furring and metal lath with respect to the lower chords of said joist by suspension clips from the upper chords of the joist to form a steel centering, pourin from above fire roofing material upon sai steel centering, orcing metal lath over said the oor.

8. The herein described system of ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joists of T-shaped cross section, the fiat, upper face of each joist having formed integral therewith rigid, fixed pegs, securing tuning and metal nth with respect to the lower chords of said 'oist by suspension from the upper chords 0 the joist to form a steel centering, pouring fire proofing material upon said steel centering, forcing metal lath over said pegs, securing said lath by means of washers fitted over said pegs, and applying a fill of concrete to form the floor.

- 9. The herein described system of ceiling and flooring construction which consists in positioning skeletonized joist of T-shaped cross section,the flat, upper face of each pegs and applying a fill of concrete-to form joist havingformed integral therewith rigid,

fixed pegs, securin furring and metal lath with respect to the ower chords of said 'oist by suspension from the upper chords 0 the joist to form u. steel centering, pouring from above fire rooting material upon said steel cent ring, arcing metal lath over said pegs, aptfi yin nailing strip receiving clips to said la an applying a fill of concrete to form the floor. -Y

10. In building construction, the combination of spaced supports, a series of skeletonized 'oists spanning the space with their uper 0 ords resting upon the supports and the ower chords bent upwardly to meet the upper chords substantially at the oints of suport, a self-centerin ceiling orm and reinforoement suspen ed from said joists, a hardened slab of fire proof material carried on the upper side and incorporated with said self-centering ceiling form and reinforcement, and a flooring carried upon said joists in spaced relation to said slab.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

GEORGE F. PAWLING.

cERfificATr or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,658, 613.

Granted February 7, 1928, to

GEORGE F. PAWLING.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page 3, line 12,

claim 4, strike out the words "and incorporating therewith" and insert the same to follow after the word "thereon" line 13, saine claim; same page, line 20, claim 5, strike out the words "and incorporating therewith" and insert'ithhsfameto follow after the word "thereon", line 21;and that the said Litter flatcnt should be read with these corrections therein that the same mif conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of March; A. D. 1928.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l.653,6l3. Granted February 7, i928, to

GEORGE F. PAWLING.

It is nereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3. line 12, claim 4, strike out the words "and incorporating therewith" and insert the same to follow after the word "thereon" line 13, seine clairn; same page. line 20, claim 5, strike out the words "and incorporating therewith" and insertttil eehmeWo follow after the word "thereon", line 21;and that the said Letter Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same mfieonform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of March; A. D. 1928. 

